What James Franklin said after Penn State's loss to Maryland
It’s hard to go out and say Penn State coach James Franklin is on the hot seat, but no one envies having his job.
After coming into the season with high expectations, the Nittany Lions are sputtering after a third consecutive loss to open the season. This one came to a Maryland team Franklin’s squad looked to have a major leg up on.
That proved not to be the case as the Terps went in and rolled over Penn State.
With the season nearly half over and the Nittany Lions still winless, here’s what Franklin had to say.
Franklin: "We've lost three different ways. In years past, we've found different ways to win game. We've got to get it fixed and we've got to get it fixed fast."
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) November 8, 2020
To paraphrase, James Franklin says there wasn't any real thought about going away from Clifford. Later cites lack of running game, sacks, drops, missed throws. Generally: everything has to get better.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) November 8, 2020
James Franklin said there weren't signs during the wk that they would play like this. Mentions the on-going issues in the run game. "It's been similar for the first few weeks. Not getting push, not sustaining blocks." Clifford has been hit too many times this season too, he says.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 8, 2020
James Franklin in the media room following Penn State's 35-19 loss to Maryland. Did they consider pulling Sean Clifford at any point? No. Felt like they could come back and win the game. "We felt like it was the right decision."
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 8, 2020
Asked James Franklin why they kept Sean Clifford in the game and a second Q about the play of this defense, which has given up plenty of explosive TDs in these last 2 games.
Biggest issue right now with PSU is it's not just one area that needs to be fixed.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 8, 2020
"We gotta be able to get the running game going and we gotta protect our quarterback," Franklin said.
Noted that the constant pressure Sean Clifford has withstood this season has taken an effect on the QB's play.
— Henry Malone (@henrymalone_) November 8, 2020
"They made big plays," Franklin said. "We were not competitive early on in the game."
— Henry Malone (@henrymalone_) November 8, 2020
"We gotta be able to get the running game going and we gotta protect our quarterback," Franklin said.
Noted that the constant pressure Sean Clifford has withstood this season has taken an effect on the QB's play.
— Henry Malone (@henrymalone_) November 8, 2020
Franklin says that getting down by a significant margin forced the team to have to change its offensive gameplan, and the team simply wasn't able to adjust.
Mentioned that its common to have to do so, but weren't sharp enough tonight to overcome it.
— Henry Malone (@henrymalone_) November 8, 2020
